HOT SERIES #2: Marry Me, Attorney

Chapter 1

"Oceana, Hija, hindi ka na bumabata. Go, fix yourself and get a guy to marry!" sermon na naman sa akin ng Lola ko.

I was busy painting inside my mini-art room here in our house when my Lola came in. Wala na akong ginawa maghapon kundi mag paint.

It was my Christmas break as an accountant. Holiday kaya kapag walang trabaho, nagp-paint ako. Wala lang... Painting is my thing and it always have a special place in my heart. Kung hindi lang sana ako nag-take ng accountancy siguro mas pinursige ko ang pagp-paint. Actually, hindi ko naman talaga gusto ang accountancy. But it was my Lola and Mommy's decision so I did go for it.

It's always their decision that I chose to follow since I hate disappointment. Ayaw kong ma-dissapoint sila sa akin dahil they see me as a perfect and obedient woman. But the truth is, I am not.

At ngayon, iba na naman ang gusto nila para sa akin... ang mag-asawa. Well, I have a Chinese blood. Therefore, it is given that I should adapt the Chinese culture which is marrying before 25.

I am just twenty-four for goodness sake and I don't want to marry yet.

"La, ligo lang muna ako." sabi ko at tumayo na at iniwan siya doon sa aking art room.

Kita ko naman ang inis sa mukha ng Lola ko. "Oceana! Come back here!" rinig kong sigaw niya pero hindi ko na siya pinakinggan pa. Alam ko na kung saan patungo Ang sermon niya. Ilang ulit ko nang narinig ang mga sermon niya tungkol sa pag-aasawa ko.

I went directly to my room and took a bath. After that, I changed my clothes.

I wore a white hoodie jacket and a black cotton short. Para makaiwas sa sermon ng Lola, napagdesisyunan kong lumabas para magpahangin.

I went to the park and brought my sketchpad. Umupo ako sa isang bench at nagsimulang mag-drawing. I just wandered my eyes at the children who were playing and running. Then, I decided to draw them.

I couldn't believe that I was smiling while sketching them.

I am a loner, that's what they said. I am always cold towards the people around me and I always show them no emotion. Naiisip nila na I'm different. I have no friends, actually. I am just casual. Wala akong mga kaibigan na maituturing. Iyong tipong nandiyan kaagad kapag kailangan mo ng tulong.

Wala...

Nandiyan lang sila kapag sila na ang may kailangan.

While sketching the children, my eyes were distracted when I saw a masculine man walking towards the two baby boys who were playing a soccer ball.

Nakangiti itong lumapit sa mga bata at nakipaglaro rito. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, iginuhit ko rin siya. Nanginginig pa ang kamay ko nang simulan kong iguhit ang mga mata niyang kulay abo. His eyes were already stamped inside my head pero para masigurado ko ang kulay at porma ng mata niya, tiningnan ko ulit siya. Gayun na lamang ang pagkagulat ko nang makita kong nakatingin din siya sa akin.

Nagkatanginan kami sandali pero binawi ko agad ang tingin ko. Nakita kong naglakad siya papalapit sa akin kaya dali-dali akong tumayo at umalis na doon.

It was already six in the evening at kumakalam na ang tiyan ko. Nang makakita ako ng Korean restaurant, pumasok na ako doon para kumain.

When I entered, I suddenly saw my workmates. I was ready to turned my back to avoid them when they already saw me and called my name.

It was too late.

Napilitan akong humarap.

"Come, Oceana! Join us!" sigaw ni Monique— isa sa mga katrabaho ko.